10416725

Wearable Device Having a Display, Lens, Illuminator, and Image Sensor

PublishedSeptember 17, 2019
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

Patent Claims
20 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A wearable device, wherein the wearable device comprises: a display configured to present images; a lens configured to provide a view of the display to an eye of a user; an illuminator configured to illuminate the eye; an image sensor configured to detect illumination reflected by the eye; and at least one processor configured to: cause the display to present an image; receive data from the image sensor; determine a gaze direction of the eye based at least in part on the data from the image sensor, the gaze direction indicative of the eye not focused on the image; and cause at least one of the display or the lens to be moved until the gaze direction indicates the eye is focused on the image.

Plain English Translation

Augmented reality and head-mounted display technology. This invention addresses the problem of ensuring a user's eye is properly focused on displayed content within a wearable device. The wearable device includes a display for showing images and a lens that allows the user to view this display. An illuminator is present to shine light onto the user's eye. An image sensor captures the light reflected from the eye. A processor controls the system. The processor instructs the display to show an image. It then receives data from the image sensor, which captures how the eye reflects the illumination. Based on this reflected light data, the processor determines the direction the user's eye is looking. This gaze direction is used to identify if the eye is not focused on the displayed image. If the eye is not focused, the processor initiates movement of either the display or the lens. This movement continues until the gaze direction indicates that the user's eye is now focused on the image.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein: causing at least one of the display or the lens to be moved comprises moving at least one of the display or the lens toward or away from the eye.

Plain English Translation

A wearable device with an adjustable optical system is designed to enhance visual clarity for users, particularly those with varying vision needs. The device includes a display and a lens positioned in front of a user's eye, where at least one of these components can be moved toward or away from the eye. This movement adjusts the optical path length, allowing the device to compensate for differences in eye anatomy or vision correction requirements. By dynamically positioning the display or lens, the device can optimize focus, reduce eye strain, and improve image sharpness. The adjustment mechanism may involve mechanical, electromechanical, or other actuation methods to achieve precise positioning. This feature is particularly useful in augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) applications, where maintaining clear visual output is critical. The device may also include sensors to detect eye position or user input to trigger the adjustment automatically or manually. The overall goal is to provide a customizable and ergonomic viewing experience, addressing challenges related to fixed optical systems in wearable technology.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein: causing at least one of the display or the lens to be moved comprises causing the display to be moved.

Plain English Translation

A wearable device with an adjustable display system addresses the problem of limited adaptability in head-mounted displays (HMDs) for different users and environments. The device includes a frame, a display, and a lens, where the display can be moved relative to the lens to optimize viewing comfort and performance. This movement adjusts the distance between the display and the lens, accommodating variations in user interpupillary distance (IPD) and focal requirements. The adjustment mechanism ensures precise alignment of the display with the user's eyes, reducing eye strain and improving visual clarity. The system may also include sensors to detect user preferences or environmental conditions, automatically adjusting the display position for optimal viewing. This adaptability enhances usability across diverse applications, such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), by providing a customizable and ergonomic viewing experience. The invention improves upon prior art by offering a more flexible and user-centric design, addressing common issues like discomfort and misalignment in conventional HMDs.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein: causing at least one of the display or the lens to be moved comprises causing the lens to be moved.

Plain English Translation

A wearable device with an optical display system addresses the challenge of providing clear, adjustable visual information to users in dynamic environments. The device includes a display and a lens positioned in front of the user's eye, where the lens can be moved relative to the display to optimize focus and alignment. This movement compensates for variations in user positioning, environmental conditions, or display content, ensuring consistent visual clarity. The lens adjustment mechanism may involve mechanical, electromagnetic, or piezoelectric actuators to precisely control its position. The device may also incorporate sensors to detect user eye movement or environmental factors, triggering automatic lens adjustments for enhanced usability. By dynamically aligning the lens with the display, the invention improves visual comfort and performance in applications such as augmented reality, virtual reality, or medical diagnostics. The system ensures that the display remains in focus regardless of user movement or external disturbances, addressing limitations in fixed-position optical systems.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein: causing the display to present an image comprises causing the display to present a grated image.

Plain English Translation

A wearable device with a display is used to present visual information to a user. The device addresses the challenge of providing clear and effective visual feedback in a compact form factor, particularly in environments where traditional displays may be impractical or distracting. The display is configured to present a grated image, which involves structuring the visual output in a way that enhances readability, reduces eye strain, or improves contrast under varying lighting conditions. The grated image may include patterns, grids, or other visual elements that optimize the way information is perceived by the user. This approach can be particularly useful in applications such as augmented reality, medical monitoring, or industrial wearables, where clarity and efficiency of visual communication are critical. The device may also include additional features such as sensors, processing units, and user input mechanisms to support its functionality. The grated image presentation ensures that the displayed content remains legible and effective, even in dynamic or high-stress environments.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein: the processor is further configured to cause at least one of the illuminator or the image sensor to be moved.

Plain English Translation

A wearable device is designed to capture high-quality images in low-light conditions, addressing challenges such as motion blur and insufficient illumination. The device includes an illuminator to provide controlled lighting and an image sensor to capture images. To enhance image quality, the device incorporates a processor that adjusts the position of either the illuminator, the image sensor, or both. This movement compensates for environmental factors, such as ambient light variations or user motion, ensuring optimal alignment and focus. The processor may also synchronize the movement with image capture timing to reduce artifacts. The device may further include a housing to support the components and a power source to supply energy. The illuminator can be a light-emitting diode (LED) or other light source, while the image sensor may be a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) or charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor. The movement mechanism may involve mechanical actuators or micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) to achieve precise adjustments. This design improves image clarity and reduces the need for post-processing corrections, making it suitable for applications like medical imaging, security, or consumer electronics.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The wearable device of claim 6 , wherein: causing at least one of the illuminator or the image sensor to be moved comprises causing the illuminator to be moved.

Plain English Translation

A wearable device includes a housing with an illuminator and an image sensor for capturing images of a user's eye. The device is designed to track eye movement and gaze direction, which is useful for applications such as virtual reality, augmented reality, or medical diagnostics. The illuminator emits light to illuminate the eye, while the image sensor captures reflections or patterns from the eye's surface to determine gaze direction. To improve accuracy, the device includes a mechanism to move at least one of the illuminator or the image sensor. In this specific configuration, the illuminator is moved relative to the housing to adjust the angle or position of the emitted light, ensuring optimal illumination of the eye for accurate tracking. The movement may be controlled by an actuator or motor, allowing dynamic adjustment based on the user's head movements or environmental conditions. This design enhances the device's ability to maintain precise eye tracking in varying scenarios, improving performance in applications requiring high accuracy.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The wearable device of claim 6 , wherein: causing at least one of the illuminator or the image sensor to be moved comprises causing the image sensor to be moved.

Plain English Translation

A wearable device is designed to capture high-quality images in low-light conditions by dynamically adjusting the position of an image sensor relative to an illuminator. The device includes an illuminator that emits light to illuminate a target area and an image sensor that captures images of the illuminated area. The device also includes a movement mechanism that adjusts the relative positions of the illuminator and the image sensor to optimize image quality. In this specific configuration, the movement mechanism is used to move the image sensor while keeping the illuminator stationary. This adjustment helps reduce glare, improve focus, or enhance image clarity by ensuring the sensor is optimally positioned relative to the illuminated area. The device may be worn on a user's body, such as a head-mounted display or a wrist-mounted camera, and is particularly useful in environments where lighting conditions are poor or inconsistent. The dynamic positioning of the image sensor allows for better image capture without requiring the user to manually adjust the device.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The wearable device of claim 6 , wherein: the processor causes at least one of the illuminator or the image sensor to be moved based at least in part on the data received from the image sensor.

Plain English Translation

A wearable device is designed to monitor physiological parameters, such as blood oxygen levels, by analyzing light interactions with biological tissue. The device includes an illuminator that emits light into the tissue and an image sensor that captures reflected or transmitted light. The processor analyzes the sensor data to determine physiological metrics. To improve accuracy, the processor adjusts the position of the illuminator or the image sensor based on the sensor data. This adjustment ensures optimal alignment and contact with the tissue, reducing measurement errors caused by misalignment or movement. The device may also include a housing with a flexible or adjustable structure to maintain consistent contact with the tissue. The processor may further control the illuminator's intensity or wavelength based on the sensor data to enhance signal quality. This dynamic adjustment mechanism improves the reliability of physiological measurements in wearable devices, particularly in scenarios where the device or the user is in motion.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The wearable device of claim 9 , wherein: the processor is further configured to determine an inter-pupillary distance based at least in part on the data received from the image sensor; and causing at least one of the illuminator or the image sensor to be moved based at least in part on data received from the image sensor comprises causing at least one of the illuminator or the image sensor to be moved based at least in part on the inter-pupillary distance.

Plain English Translation

A wearable device is designed to capture high-quality images of a user's eyes for applications such as biometric authentication or health monitoring. The device includes an image sensor and an illuminator, which may be adjusted to optimize image capture. The processor analyzes data from the image sensor to determine the user's inter-pupillary distance (IPD), which is the distance between the centers of the pupils. Based on this IPD measurement, the processor adjusts the position of the illuminator, the image sensor, or both to ensure accurate and consistent imaging. This adjustment helps compensate for variations in user anatomy, improving the reliability of eye-based measurements. The device may also include additional components, such as a housing to support the illuminator and image sensor, and a mounting mechanism to position the device near the user's eyes. The system ensures precise alignment and illumination, enhancing the performance of eye-tracking or biometric recognition systems.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. A method for displaying images to a user, wherein the method comprises: causing a display to present an image through a lens to an eye of a user; causing an illuminator to illuminate the eye of the user; receiving data from an image sensor detecting illumination reflected by the eye; determining a gaze direction of the eye based at least in part on the data from the image sensor, the gaze direction indicative of the eye not focused on the image; and causing at least one of the display or the lens to be moved until the gaze direction indicates the eye is focused on the image.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to an eye-tracking system for adjusting a display to align with a user's gaze. The system addresses the problem of misalignment between a displayed image and a user's line of sight, which can cause visual discomfort or reduced clarity. The method involves presenting an image to a user through a lens, such as in a head-mounted display (HMD) or augmented reality (AR) device. An illuminator directs light toward the user's eye, and an image sensor captures reflections from the eye to determine gaze direction. If the gaze direction indicates the eye is not focused on the image, the system adjusts the position of the display or lens to realign the image with the user's gaze. This dynamic adjustment ensures optimal viewing alignment, improving visual comfort and clarity. The system may also include additional components, such as a controller to process sensor data and actuate the display or lens movement. The method is particularly useful in wearable displays where precise alignment is critical for user experience.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The method for displaying images to a user of claim 11 , wherein: causing at least one of the display or the lens to be moved comprises moving at least one of the display or the lens toward or away from the eye.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to an augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) display system designed to improve image clarity and focus for a user. The system addresses the challenge of maintaining optimal visual quality as the user's eye position changes relative to the display or lens components. The method involves dynamically adjusting the position of either the display or the lens to compensate for variations in the user's eye position, ensuring consistent focus and clarity. Specifically, the adjustment includes moving the display or lens toward or away from the user's eye to maintain proper alignment. This movement can be controlled based on real-time tracking of the user's eye position, ensuring seamless adaptation to changes in viewing conditions. The system may also incorporate additional mechanisms, such as optical adjustments or calibration processes, to further enhance image quality. By dynamically adjusting the display or lens position, the invention provides a more stable and comfortable viewing experience in AR/VR environments.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The method for displaying images to a user of claim 11 , wherein: causing the display to present an image comprises causing the display to present a grated image.

Plain English Translation

A method for displaying images to a user involves presenting a grated image on a display. The grated image is a visual representation where the original image is overlaid with a grid pattern, altering its appearance to enhance certain visual effects or reduce visual fatigue. This technique may be used in applications where image clarity needs to be adjusted dynamically, such as in augmented reality, medical imaging, or digital signage. The grated image can be generated by applying a grid overlay to the original image, either through hardware or software processing. The grid pattern may vary in density, opacity, or color to achieve different visual effects. This method is particularly useful in scenarios where the user's perception of the image needs to be modified without altering the underlying data, such as in medical imaging where certain features need to be emphasized or in augmented reality where visual comfort is prioritized. The display can be any type of screen, including LCD, OLED, or projection-based displays, and the grated image can be adjusted in real-time based on user input or environmental conditions. The method ensures that the displayed image remains visually distinct while maintaining the integrity of the original content.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The method for displaying images to a user of claim 11 , wherein the method further comprises: causing at least one of the illuminator or the image sensor to be moved.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a method for displaying images to a user, addressing the challenge of optimizing image quality and user experience in display systems. The method involves adjusting the position of at least one component within the display system, specifically either an illuminator or an image sensor, to enhance performance. The illuminator generates light used to produce the displayed image, while the image sensor captures visual data to refine the output. By dynamically moving either component, the system can compensate for environmental factors, user positioning, or display conditions, improving clarity, brightness, or other visual attributes. This adjustment may involve mechanical or optical repositioning to align the components optimally, ensuring the displayed image meets desired quality standards. The method integrates with broader display technologies, such as those involving light modulation or sensor-based feedback, to deliver adaptive and high-fidelity visual output. The core innovation lies in the active repositioning of key components to dynamically optimize image display, addressing limitations in static or fixed-position systems.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. The method for displaying images to a user of claim 14 , wherein: causing at least one of the illuminator or the image sensor to be moved based is based at least in part on the data received from the image sensor.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to an image display system that dynamically adjusts illumination and image capture to enhance visual output for a user. The system includes an illuminator, an image sensor, and a display device. The illuminator emits light to illuminate a scene or object, while the image sensor captures images of the illuminated scene. The captured images are processed to generate display data, which is then used to control the display device to present the images to the user. The system also includes a controller that processes the captured images to determine adjustments needed for optimal display. The controller may adjust the illuminator's intensity, the image sensor's exposure settings, or the display device's output based on the captured data. Additionally, the system may move the illuminator or the image sensor to improve image quality or adapt to changing conditions. The movement is determined based on the data received from the image sensor, ensuring that the system dynamically responds to environmental or scene changes to provide a clear and accurate visual output. This method improves image clarity and adaptability in varying lighting conditions or dynamic environments.

Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. A non-transitory machine readable medium having instructions stored thereon for displaying images to a user, wherein the instructions are executable by one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to at least: cause a display in a wearable device to present an image through a lens to an eye of a user; cause an illuminator to illuminate the eye of the user; receive data from an image sensor detecting illumination reflected by the eye; determine a gaze direction of the eye based at least in part on the data from the image sensor, the gaze direction indicative of the eye not focused on the image; and cause at least one of the display or the lens to be moved until the gaze direction indicates the eye is focused on the image.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to gaze tracking and image alignment in wearable devices, particularly addressing the challenge of ensuring a user's gaze remains focused on displayed content. The system includes a wearable device with a display that presents images through a lens to the user's eye. An illuminator directs light toward the eye, and an image sensor captures reflections from the eye to determine gaze direction. The system analyzes the sensor data to detect when the user's gaze deviates from the displayed image. In response, the system adjusts either the display or the lens to realign the image with the user's line of sight, ensuring proper focus. This dynamic adjustment compensates for movement or misalignment, improving user experience by maintaining visual clarity and reducing eye strain. The solution is particularly useful in augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) applications where precise image alignment is critical for immersion and comfort. The system operates autonomously, using real-time feedback to optimize display positioning without manual intervention.

Claim 17

Original Legal Text

17. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 16 , wherein: causing at least one of the display or the lens to be moved comprises moving at least one of the display or the lens toward or away from the eye.

Plain English Translation

A system for adjusting the optical alignment of a display and lens assembly in a head-mounted device (HMD) to improve user comfort and image quality. The invention addresses the challenge of maintaining proper optical alignment between the display and lens as the user's head moves or as the device is worn for extended periods. The system includes a display and a lens positioned relative to the user's eye, along with an actuator mechanism capable of moving either the display or the lens. The actuator adjusts the position of the display or lens by translating it linearly toward or away from the user's eye, ensuring optimal focus and minimizing distortion. This movement compensates for variations in interpupillary distance (IPD), head positioning, or device slippage, enhancing the user experience. The system may also include sensors to detect misalignment or user input to trigger adjustments. The invention improves upon prior art by providing precise, dynamic alignment control, reducing the need for manual adjustments and improving comfort during prolonged use. The solution is particularly useful in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) applications where maintaining a clear, distortion-free view is critical.

Claim 18

Original Legal Text

18. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 16 , wherein: causing the display to present an image comprises causing the display to present a grated image.

Plain English Translation

Technical Summary: This invention relates to the field of image display systems, specifically addressing the challenge of presenting images with enhanced visual clarity or specific visual effects. The invention involves a non-transitory machine-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a display to present a grated image. A grated image is an image that has been processed to include a grid-like pattern or structure, which may improve visibility, reduce visual artifacts, or create a specific visual effect. The instructions may also include steps for generating or modifying the grated image based on input data or user preferences. The system may further include additional processing steps, such as adjusting the grated image's resolution, contrast, or other visual properties to optimize its presentation on the display. The invention aims to provide a more effective way to display images with structured patterns, which can be useful in applications such as medical imaging, scientific visualization, or augmented reality.

Claim 19

Original Legal Text

19. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 16 , wherein the instructions are further executable to at least: cause at least one of the illuminator or the image sensor to be moved.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a non-transitory machine-readable medium containing instructions for controlling an imaging system, particularly for adjusting the position of an illuminator or an image sensor to improve image capture. The system addresses challenges in imaging where fixed positions of components may lead to suboptimal lighting or alignment, affecting image quality. The medium includes executable instructions that enable dynamic movement of either the illuminator or the image sensor to optimize imaging conditions. This adjustment can compensate for variations in object positioning, environmental factors, or system misalignment, ensuring consistent and high-quality image acquisition. The movement may involve translation, rotation, or other positional changes to enhance illumination uniformity or sensor alignment. The instructions may also include logic for determining the optimal position based on feedback from the image sensor or other sensors, allowing real-time adjustments. This approach improves imaging performance in applications such as machine vision, medical imaging, or industrial inspection, where precise and adaptable imaging is critical. The invention ensures flexibility in system configuration, reducing the need for manual adjustments and enhancing automation in imaging processes.

Claim 20

Original Legal Text

20. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 19 , wherein: causing at least one of the illuminator or the image sensor to be moved based is based at least in part on the data received from the image sensor.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a non-transitory machine-readable medium storing instructions for controlling an imaging system, particularly for adjusting the position of an illuminator or an image sensor based on sensor data. The system includes an illuminator that emits light toward a target object and an image sensor that captures images of the illuminated object. The instructions cause a processor to receive data from the image sensor, analyze the data to determine the position or orientation of the object, and then adjust the position of either the illuminator or the image sensor to optimize imaging conditions. The adjustment may involve moving the illuminator to better illuminate the object or repositioning the image sensor to improve image capture quality. The system may also include a motor or actuator to physically move the components. The invention aims to enhance imaging accuracy and reliability by dynamically adapting the system's configuration based on real-time sensor feedback, addressing challenges in environments where object positioning or lighting conditions are inconsistent.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

Unknown

Publication Date

September 17, 2019

Inventors

Henrik Eskilsson
Mårten Skogö

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WEARABLE DEVICE HAVING A DISPLAY, LENS, ILLUMINATOR, AND IMAGE SENSOR